This remark does not apply to the Old Whyte Harte Hotel at Wisbeach (now spelt Wisbech), for that is the present day Izaac Walton Association House. My set of measures was made by Grimes, of London, for J. Hill, the landlord in 1880.
Quart T. B., Crown. Lidded Jug W. T. S., Queen’s Hotel. Quart, Lipped G. Bamden. Wenlock Brewery Tap. Pint ” Sportsman. Beaker H. Mattock, Malt Shovel, Dartford. Pint E. H. Bakers’ Arms, Waltham Abbey. ” W. Bullin, Bears Paw Inn. Quart A. Johnston, Baptist Head, High Holborn. Pint G. C. Collier, Catherine Wheel, near Brentford. ” D. Saul, Shipwrights Arms, Limehouse Hole. Lipped Pint Hope, Islington. Pint Canteen, 70th Regt. ” J. E. B., The Feathers, Chiswick. Quart, Lipped G. Thompson, Tipperary. ” J. C. D., Montague Arms, Peckham. Pint C. M.--C. Mannerson, Windmill, Dartford. ” Lipped J. T. R., Duke’s Head, Leman St., Southwark. Pint Post Office Hotel, Church St., Soho. ” Blackburn Arms. ” G. M. Wellington, Shepherds Bush. ” G. A. Y., King’s Arms, Woolwich. ” John Machin, Bimm. Tavern. ” A. B., Black Lion, Kingston. ” W. E., Flying Scud, Sutton St., Comml. Rd. ” Nichols, Court Sampson, Thomas St. ” Robt. Moor, Cockermouth in Cumberland. ” T. Forman, 35, Brompton Rd. Quart, Lipped Courtenay Arms, Starcross. Pint Barclay Perkins & Co. J. Nolan. Quart J. Hill, White Hart Hotel Wisbeach.
The collection continues to increase, and I have recently acquired a quart, mark “S.C.” inscribed “Longden White, Ewell, 1820.” Another, which belonged to W. James, Welney, marked four lions--a lipped quart by Geradin & Watson, stamped “G.R.” 1826, and lastly a quart pot-bellied measure by W. Nettleford, early 19th century, being the only measure of this shape which I have seen fitted with a lip. I must now end this potty discourse, and on pondering for a fitting quotation wherewith to conclude, I can think of none more suitable than one which I trow good King Hal is not likely to have used when ruminating on his bunch of wives--“Let ’em all come.”
THE MYSTERY PIECE (_See_ Plate XXVII, facing p. 75).
I have given this title to the photograph I recently had taken for various reasons which I will now particularise. Most books contain a mystery of some kind and the creation in many instances must cause the author much anxious thought, but in my case the mystery is real up to the time of writing; possibly soon after this appears in print the mystery will be explained by some kind correspondent who possesses a similar piece. In the first place, I know not its proper name, so must call it for the time being “the piece.” Where I obtained it will remain a mystery to the reader, but how I happened to become its possessor I will readily relate, and in doing so I confirm my previous statement that you never know your luck when collecting.